Having enjoyed Israeli falafel for many years, it occurred to me that the basic ingredients of falafel, namely the fried chickpea concoction could be flavored with many different seasonings, not just the usual Middle Eastern ones. So, here is my take on Mexican falafel.

While living in South Africa, I became familiar with Peri Peri seasoning, a spice introduced by the Portuguese sailors and settlers. Peri Peri is a truly distinctive garlic hot sauce. In South Africa, it is especially popular as a marinade for chicken, but it is also excellent for fish tacos. As a transplanted southern Californian, where Baja California fish tacos are popular, as a frequent visitor to Hawaii, where Mahi Mahi is in abundance, and as a former resident of South Africa, this dish combines the best of three of my worlds.

I realize that for many traditionalists, fooling around with an old standard comes close to sacrilege. However, in my opinion, gefilte fish desperately needs help. In its usual form, it is at best, an acquired taste. This southwestern version receives fabulous reviews every time. Even people who dislike gefilte fish like this recipe. This is another example of how a somewhat boring Jewish recipe can be brightened up a lot with the fusion of ingredients from other communities.

Are these recipes Kosher?

The recipes on this website are not specifically kosher. However, all of them can be modified to conform to traditional Jewish dietary laws. For example, when butter or milk is called for in a meat or poultry dish, there are non-dairy alternatives that are acceptable.